Express yourself at Methow Valley Pridefest on Sunday

Pride is back. The Methow Valley Pridefest will take place in Winthrop on Sunday.File photo by Laurelle Walsh

By Laurelle Walsh

The Methow Valley’s third annual Pridefest will be held this weekend in Winthrop, with a pride march through town, picnic in the park and “gender-bending freak-out fun and games for all the family.”

The event kicks off on Sunday (June 15) at 10:30 a.m., at the west end of the Spring Creek pedestrian bridge, where participants will assemble for the march. Signs, banners, costumes and flags are encouraged, with an opportunity for all to express themselves, according to event organizer Leslie Young.

The march will depart from the bridge landing at 11 a.m., proceed through downtown along Riverside Avenue and west along Highway 20 to Mack Lloyd Park.

An all-ages drag queen and king contest — something between a talent and fashion show, according to Young — will offer people of any gender an opportunity to dress in cross-gender costumes, culminating in the crowning of a Drag King and Drag Queen. DJ Joe Pop will be the event’s emcee, and prizes from local sponsors will be awarded to participants.

Pride activities continue in the park until 2 p.m., with air-brush tattoos, hula hooping, croquet, badminton and other lawn games. Bring your own picnic basket for a community picnic, and enjoy music by DJ Special K.

Participants can also paint a soup bowl for Room One’s annual fundraiser, and shop at the Winthrop Market during the same hours in the park.